Mastering Hybrid Job Descriptions: A Guide for Employers

Job Descriptions for a Hybrid Position

Job descriptions serve as the crucial first point of contact between you and your potential candidates. For the employer, the job description streamlines recruitment, ensures legal compliance, and aids in performance management. For the candidate, the job description provides clarity, facilitates career development, and contributes to job satisfaction. 

Over recent years, the work landscape has seen tremendous shifts and rapid growth. The various ways of working (i.e. remote, in-office, hybrid) have gained traction and allowed companies to strive for flexibility and innovation. At the same time, it has called for more careful and detailed job descriptions to not only attract top talent but also reflect the dynamic nature of hybrid roles.

Writing a job description for hybrid-remote roles can be overwhelming because you are trying to a) attract the best talents from all across the world, and b) communicate the various expectations and differences in cultures, all within a 500-word paragraph. 

Here's a comprehensive guide to help you write job descriptions that attract top talent:

How To Write A Good Job Description for a Hybrid Role 

Here are 5 tips to mastering your hybrid job descriptions. 

1. Clear Job Title

First things first - define the role. Aside from the job position itself, you want to define what aspect of hybrid or remote the role entails. A remote position is completely off-site, whereas a hybrid position may require the employee to come into the office from time to time. 

The tricky part here is the various types of hybrid models. The four common types are:

1. Hybrid at-will: Employees can choose which days to work remotely and which days on-site.
2. Hybrid split week: Employees are assigned specific days to work in the office and remotely by management.
3. Week-by-week Model: Management assigns work weeks where specific employees' teams need to be present on-site. They then spend the next weeks remotely.
4. Designated Teams Work Model: Specific teams are assigned to work on-site or remotely based on the nature of the work.

It is incredibly important that the job description specifies the expectations of the hybrid role, whether the candidate is required to be on-site or has complete flexibility and autonomy. It is also helpful to mention any tools or software that might be required. 

2. Outline Responsibilities 

The purpose of a job description is to provide a clear, comprehensive, and detailed overview of the job. It is used to justify certain business decisions and needs to highlight the primary responsibilities and tasks associated with the role. 

You should be specific and concise about what is expected from the role, and avoid using vague terms that might leave the candidate wondering. It is also helpful to mention any required skills, qualifications, and requirements.

3. Be Transparent 

One of the most important things to keep in mind when writing your job description for your hybrid role (or any role, as a matter of fact), is transparency. For the benefit of both you and your future employees, you want to be honest and transparent from the start. Both parties should know what they’re expecting or expected of, before moving forward with the job.

Transparency can foster trust, and it attracts the right candidates. For a hybrid position, being transparent can prevent future miscommunication and mishaps. 

4. Communicate Benefits

The winning factor of a hybrid role is that they offer more flexibility and autonomy for employees - you want to highlight that! Communicate in your job description the many benefits and perks that the job entails.

For example, you can mention work-life balance, reduced commuting time, customized work environment, etc. to compel your target audience.

5. Practice Inclusivity 

Highlight the company’s commitment to diversity and inclusion and provide examples on how this is fostered in the hybrid landscape. Consider mentioning any initiatives that the company is currently doing to promote equal opportunities.

Aside from that, one way to promote inclusivity in your job description is by simply using inclusive and accessible language. For example:

• Using neutral terms (‘they’/’‘candidate’ instead of ‘he’/‘she’)
• Using simple language
• Consider alternate formats (HTML, accessible PDF with alt text)
• Provide contact details (or an accommodation note)

Final Thoughts

Now that you have a better understanding of how to write an effective hybrid job description, the next time you do, keep these tips in mind and remember to “open the floor” for questions and feedback.

Take the time and effort to craft an excellent job description and it will most definitely pay off when you find your ideal candidate.